Postsynaptic organization and regulation of excitatory synapses

Dynamic regulation of synaptic efficacy is one of the mechanisms thought to underlie learning and memory. Many of the observed changes in efficacy, su ch as long-term potentiation and long-term depression, result from the func tional alteration of excitatory neurotransmission mediated by postsynaptic glutamate receptors. These changes may result from the modulation of the re ceptors themselves and from regulation of protein networks associated with glutamate receptors. Understanding the interactions in this synaptic comple x will yield invaluable insight into the molecular basis of synaptic functi on. This review focuses on the molecular organization of excitatory synapse s and the processes involved in the dynamic regulation of glutamate recepto rs.